To All Children

Here are some of the things we think are important and have found useful in my life. Hopefully, the world won't have changed much by the time you are old enough to read this, and you’ll still find this information as useful to you as it has to me.

There are no coincidences: all things are connected. Try to find where you are in relation to everything else around you.

More important than the respect you get from other people, is the respect you give yourself. Never be harder on yourself than you would be on someone you like.

If things get so bad you have to resort to prayer, don't be surprised if relief comes from a human source. You live in a world of angels and demons, and you get to decide which you will be. The sooner you realize this the sooner you will begin to reach your deserved potential.

Always follow your dreams, even if the odds are against you. Life is too short for regrets, and no matter what: listen to the little guy in your head. Just remember that there doesn't have to be pain to gain. Patience is a virtue that should not be confused with apathy. Ignorance is not bliss. The good guys don't always win. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Things are not always as they seem: Sometimes they are much better. You can teach old dogs new tricks. And this is the important one: Good things don't usually come to those that wait.

Don’t look upon men and women as opposites. Try to see them as complimentary.

If you love some one, tell them. You will never forgive yourself if you never get another opportunity. Give everyone you meet the right to his or her own beliefs. There are no absolutes in a universe as infinite as ours. In so much as truth is concerned, there are only opinions.

Integrity is the only thing you own which cannot be taken away from you. If you find yourself without it, it is because you have willingly given it up, and you better go get it back.

A facade is a heavy thing to hold up. We have never met an individual who could keep one up for any length of time. Those who don’t posses it don’t easily understand honor. People will call you an idealist, or old fashioned… they'll go to great lengths to cause you to compromise your principles. You’ll be in good company, however. People will judge you for all kinds of things: Wise people will judge you by what you do… not by what you say you will do. Others will judge you by the company you keep: so choose your friends wisely.